From the Elbe Region to Helgoland: experience the coastal area of Lower Saxony from a holiday home in Otterndorf

For anyone looking for a charming canoe town close to the border, Ottendorf is certainly a place to consider! The mix of riverside trees, the little bridge and the old houses is exactly what you want for a picturesque canoe trip. You will also appreciate a holiday home in Otterndorf as a base for other adventures, such as a boat trip to the photographers’ island of Helgoland or a bike ride along reed fields, orchards and the scenic river town of Glückstadt. Children won’t mind a rainy day, because in Cuxhaven you can explore all the world’s biotopes at the Klimahaus.

Follow the Elberadweg from a holiday home in Otterndorf

Otterndorf lies not only on the North Sea coast but also at the mouth of the Elbe. A lovely highlight of this final stretch of the Elbe Route is the old town of Stade, a canal town where you will gladly take a break. In spring, the orchards of Altes Land decorate the landscape with a wealth of blossoms. Cows and sheep in the floodplains and large flocks of birds in the sky keep you company, while the half-timbered farmhouses and small churches complete the charm. Discover the Asseler Sand with its reed-lined banks in a landscape rich in waterways, and take the small ferry across the river to fall in love with Glückstadt. The route won’t get more picturesque than this, so take time to enjoy the quaint canals and the varied houses in Dutch Renaissance style.

Die Wingst Forest and Waldzoo Animal Park

In the north of Lower Saxony you drive through a fairly open landscape, but there are also forests where you can walk through mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland, such as Die Wingst. Now and then you pass a field or a meadow, and at Lütt Mandus you can stop for Kaffee & Kuchen at weekends. Start your hike at the Wingst Visitor Centre and follow a 14-kilometre route that leads past Waldzoo. This park has a playground and a remarkable collection of animals, from bears and lions to peacocks, flamingos and turtles. You will even come across monkeys, such as capuchins and various Asian species like the Chinese squirrel.

Photograph birds and seals on the twin archipelago of Helgoland

As flat as the surroundings of Otternburg are, the coast of Helgoland is full of cliffs. A trip to this island therefore offers striking contrast. You will have to cross the open waters of the North Sea, as Helgoland lies quite far offshore. Geologically, the island is unique, with sheer cliffs and an extensive plateau rising 60 metres above sea level. Apart from the two beaches in the north and east, Helgoland is a typical rocky island with special seabirds such as the pale gannet. These birds, together with the red cliffs that change colour as the day progresses, form the perfect setting for nature photography.

For beautiful shots you can also visit its sister island, Düne, where you can capture the playful movements of seals or photograph the fluffy pups at a respectful distance in December.

Take a day trip to Wangerooge from a holiday home in Otterndorf

Also consider a holiday home in Otterndorf as a base for visiting the German Wadden Islands. From Cuxhaven, for example, you can travel to Wangerooge. The northern coast has a long beach you can walk in a single day, with views of several lighthouses such as the square and pointed West Turm. Treat yourself to coffee or cake at Café Pudding, a familiar landmark of the island and a cosy spot where you can enjoy beautiful beach views indoors or outdoors. The round café is actually also a restaurant, perfect for ending your day with a sunset dinner.

Spend a day on Neuwerk as well and explore the island by horse-drawn carriage. The starting point for this activity is the monumental lighthouse, which you can also climb for panoramic views over the compact island. You reach Neuwerk from Cuxhaven after a two-hour boat trip.

Make a trip to Bremerhaven

For a rainy-day activity, Bremerhaven is your best choice, as it offers many indoor attractions. Visit the Klimahaus, where you can admire various biotopes, from the Swiss Alps to Antarctica. At Zoo am Meer you will find a home for polar bears, Arctic hares, pumas and many other land and sea animals. An intriguing museum with a fascinating human-interest exhibition is the German Emigration Center. Here you experience personal stories of emigrants who left Germany, from Jews who escaped the Nazi regime just before the Second World War to people who sought new opportunities abroad. You also step into the shoes of characters who immigrated to Germany.

Itzehoe and Schloss Breitenburg: two gems on the River Stör

There’s not a great deal to see in Itzehoe, but in the old centre you will pause for a moment when you see the church tower that stands out as an unusual – and certainly not unattractive – sight. Surrounding it is a photogenic collection of half-timbered houses, a small square, a park with trees and a pond. Notice the four onion-shaped turrets on the corners of the brick-red tower. With a zoomed-in look and a little imagination, it almost resembles a Russian Orthodox church. After a picturesque stroll through Itzehoe, visit a white castle in a nearby park forest: Schloss Breitenburg. A walk on the castle grounds is possible by appointment.

Rent a holiday home in Otterndorf

You won’t find spectacular nature or highly adventurous hiking routes in the coastal region of Lower Saxony, but surprising charm will certainly be part of your holiday. One promise you can make to young animal lovers when booking a stay in Otterndorf is a visit to two zoos and the chance to spot seals on the sandbanks of Helgoland. Considering a pleasant cycling holiday? Rent a holiday home in Otterndorf and enjoy an unforgettable stop in the Dutch-rooted town of Glückstadt.